Left Flank

I watch the local news, in my hometown of Baltimore and my parents' residence in Florida, for national news. Here's what I see.

Professional fundraisers for McCain?

Coale has long shared money and connections with Dems. But he showed up at the Republican National Convention last week and announced plans to woo high-profile Dems to «Citizens for McCain.» «A Leading Hillary Supporter Defects to McCain,» read the headline as Newsweek.com broke the story.

«First, I'm surprised it's any kind of big deal at all,» Coale told me later by phone from Minnesota.

«And second, I told McCain that I am doing nothing to help [down-ticket] Republicans. John and I go back. We worked together on the tobacco stuff when he was chairman of the commerce committee. I've known him a long time.

«And I like him a lot. ...

«I'm a true-blue Democrat. But look, I don't know Barack Obama. I had one one-on-one for 30 minutes once. I've worked with McCain. He has a tremendous record of compromise in putting deals together in the Senate.

«I made it very clear this is about John McCain, not Republicans and not Republicans in Maryland,» he added. «I will be supporting Martin O'Malley for his re-election and all Democrats, especially in the state of Maryland. I'm holding a fundraiser for what's-his-name on the Eastern Shore.»

So, the man has more money than sense.

Tax cuts are an easy sell?

Back then, candidates from both parties -- from Crist and his Democratic challenger, Jim Davis, to county and city commissioners -- campaigned on the mantra of delivering property-tax and insurance relief to a steamed electorate.

This fall, though, those pitches are nowhere to be heard. Lawmakers trying to get re-elected seem more interested in running away from Tallahassee's track record than embracing the results of the past two years.

For the most part, they've concluded deep tax cuts can't be achieved as long as the citizenry also expects decent public schools and services.

«What we proved to ourselves is we're so dependent on services, that to reduce taxes so largely in one area we have to raise them somewhere else,» said Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Lakeland, who speaks frankly because he's term-limited.

«We have had a lot of failed attempts at tax reforms, but that doesn't mean it necessarily can't be done.»

Service, and competence? Florida can't have that, so it might as well just fire all the legislators! And, the fundraisers!

Powered by ScribeFire.